Landlord Assistance in Oregon

Evictions in Oregon

We can help. We prepare the forms, file them with court, advance the court fees. Then we rush out and get the Defendants Served. Just fill out this Evictions (FED) Request Form, and we will get started all for only $95

Landlord-Tenant Disputes: How Process Servers Can Help

As a landlord, you can be faced with dealing with a variety of situations regarding your tenants. Whether the tenant has not paid their rent, engaged in illegal activity, or violated other terms and conditions of their lease, these types of disputes typically result in the tenant being evicted. While evicting a tenant is never a pleasant process, enlisting the help of a process server can make things a bit easier on your end.
How a Process Server Can Help
There are a multitude of ways in which you can use a process server. When you decide to evict a tenant, you need to provide them with a written notice that essentially serves as a warning to the tenant that can also be used in court proceedings down the line if things escalate. There are typically three types of evictions: failure to pay, breach of lease, or an unconditional eviction for other reasons (perhaps you no longer wish to maintain the property or you want to lease it to a family member, etc.), and each one requires a notice of varying lengths (ranging from three to 90 days on average). Check with your local courts to find the exact regulations for your county.
Most states require that landlords provide tenants with a written notice prior to eviction proceedings, and if you fail to provide them with this notice, it could damage your case against the tenant or cause them to file a lawsuit against you for wrongful eviction. Both repercussions can be costly, so it is best to avoid this possibility and make sure the tenant receives the notice.
Having a process server hand deliver this notice will show that you are serious, but more than that, it will ensure that the tenant actually receives the notice. While the US Mail service is reliable, the tenant could claim that it was stolen from their mailbox, that it was never delivered to them, or that someone else received it. Making sure the tenant receives the notice is important because sometimes just a warning is enough to make tenants get their act together. In other cases, you may need to pursue the eviction. No matter which way the relationship ends up, using a process server to deliver this important document eliminates the potential for tenants to claim that they did not receive the notice.
Further down the line, you may need to contact a lawyer and pursue a legal claim against your tenant. Again, there will be notifications and documents that the tenants will need to receive regarding the formal eviction proceedings, such as the writ of possession.
You may also need to serve an eviction notice on unnamed occupants. In the event that the tenant had a significant other, family member, friend, or someone else move in who is not on the lease, you will need to cover your bases and have these people or person notified as well. By notifying unnamed occupants, you are making sure that you have done everything you can to notify anyone and everyone living on the premises.
Why Use a Process Server
Although local and state laws vary regarding the use of a process server, choosing to use a process server when you are able is certainly going to make the eviction process go more smoothly for you. Process servers can provide a variety of benefits to landlords that may not be overtly apparent.
Process servers are professional and impartial. It’s their job to provide due process and to make sure that important court documents are handled and delivered legally. Jonathan Levy of Nationwide Process Servers and Private Investigation Services explained that process servers act as “A disinterested third party i.e. process server is in the best interest of all parties involved. The tenant and landlord are joined by the actions of a process server. Not using a process server or a disinterested party could lead to false or misleading statements which could not allow the tenant proper due process or the landlord lawful litigation.”
Process servers can also help in situations where the landlord does not live near the property. In situations where there is a dispute between the tenant and landlord, the tenant may be expecting an eviction notice and try to avoid receiving it. It would be incredibly inconvenient to drive out of state to deliver an eviction notice, only to have the tenant avoid you. Process servers are a great choice in these cases because they can handle notifying the tenant locally.
Another benefit to hiring a process server is that your tenant will likely not recognize the process server. This is especially helpful if your tenant is expecting notification and avoiding service. Since they won’t know the process server, they won’t know to avoid him or her. Process servers are skilled in making sure that individuals receive important documents — they have the experience that you as the landlord don’t have.
Other times where using a process server include situations where the relationship between the tenant and landlord is volatile or hostile. The tenant may also be personally intimidating to the landlord for other reasons. Having a third party serve the documents will eliminate the emotional element of facing your tenant.
At the end of the day, it’s important to treat tenants fairly and with respect, but you also need to take care of your property and legal liabilities. Hiring a process server at the right time can help make sure that you are providing tenants with due diligence in the event that you need to pursue eviction. Be sure to consult with an attorney if you need to pursue an eviction in court. Process servers act as a third party and make sure that tenants receive the right information, but they cannot represent you, give legal advice, or handle your case. (• March 03, 2015 • by Stephanie Irvine)

Serve Eviction Papers

Though it can be stressful and unpleasant to evict a tenant, it is sometimes unavoidable. As a landlord, you must take certain steps as established in your state’s landlord and tenant laws to set the eviction in motion. Read on to learn how a process server can help you follow all aspects of the legal eviction process.

What is an Eviction Notice?
An eviction notice is official notification to a tenant to quit the rental premises. It states lease violations committed by the tenant and the length of time the tenant has to make restitution. Depending on local laws, the deadline might be less than a week in the case of missed rental payment or longer in the case of property damage. A notice of eviction generally cannot remove a difficult tenant, but its official receipt is the first step in the legal eviction procedure.

Why are Eviction Notices Used in the Legal Process?
This notice often serves as a warning to non-compliant and delinquent tenants. Ideally, you and the tenant will reach an agreement, eliminating the need for further action. If the tenant pays back rent or satisfies other terms of the lease, you may decide to tear up the notice, putting an end to the process. If the tenant will not comply with terms of the lease, your next step is to file an eviction order. You may not attempt to physically remove a tenant during proceedings. Only an authorized officer of the court may do so after a judge has finalized the eviction order.

How Do You Get Eviction Papers Served?
A notice of eviction must be served according to state laws, and the language it uses must be unambiguous. You do not want tenants to argue that the notice of eviction was delivered to the wrong recipient or that the notice was so unclear it is not legally binding.

Why Do You Need a Process Server?
A process server is knowledgeable about state and process serving laws and will deliver documents in compliance with those laws. A process server acts as a neutral third party to give proper notice, preventing the tenant from claiming he or she never received the notice. Additionally, a process server will ensure that no laws are broken during the process service, which could cause dismissal or delay of the case. Proper process service will ultimately save you money by preventing legal costs caused by improper serving.